Ocean Heroes » boating education

DAVID ROCKEFELLER Jr, Founder, Sailors for the Sea

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:24:11 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Sailors for the Sea, which “educates and engages the boating community in the worldwide protection of the oceans,” was the outcome of David Rockefeller’s work on the Pew Oceans Commission, which identified profound and alarming ocean health issues. As an avid sailor with a life-long love of the ocean and a philanthropist with a keen interest in environmental issues, David envisioned an organization that would educate the boating community about these ocean health issues and lead boaters to protect the waters we all love.

How has your Nominees efforts made a difference for the better?

Their flagship programs – Clean Regattas, Rainy Day Kits, and Certified Sea Friendly – directly engage boaters in fulfilling their vision. Their Ocean Watch Essays, are monthly articles that discuss current ocean health issues with with opportunities to take action. Their Clean Boating section lists steps boaters can take to reduce their environmental impact. Their link library of non profit organizations dedicated to a specific realm of conservation are proudly promoted here.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

YachtWorld’s access to the recreational boater will engage the boating community in the worldwide protection of the oceans.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

David Rockefeller, Jr. receives award for 2013 YachtWorld Hero from Ian Atkins, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Dominion Marine Media

http://www.yachtworld.com/boat-content/2014/02/a-man-for-all-seas-david-rockefeller-jr-is-the-yachtworld-hero-for-2013/

http://blog.boats.com/2014/02/david-rockefeller-jr-wins-yachtworld-hero-award/#.UvzwpnlYkmw

http://youtu.be/YnkZU13vtu0

http://vimeo.com/85969720

Sailorsforthesea.org

Facebook.com/SailorsfortheSea

Twitter.com/SailorsforSea

David Rockefeller, Jr. was nominated by John Burnham, of Dominion Marine Media in the category of Defending our Oceans.

Matt Rutherford, Ocean Research Project

Jessica Muffett — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 23:07:48 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

In 2012, Matt Rutherford became the first person to solo circumnavigate North and South America. He completed the non-stop 27,000 mile journey in 10 months in a tiny, old sailboat. Solotheamericas.org

Matt has embarked on a new project, oceanresearchproject.org, that aims to make ocean research more affordable. The typical running costs for scientific research in the open ocean is between $6,000 and $15,000 a day, depending on the organization. With Ocean Research Project they have a daily running cost of $112 a day.

Together with scientist Nicole Trenholm, Matt completed the Atlantic Garbage patch expedition on August 15, 2013. They spent 80 days at sea collecting data at 40 survey sites over 2,600 miles of the mid-Atlantic, sending some of the samples to the University of Japan for toxicity research and others to a lab to check the plastic for bacteria which shouldn’t be there. They are also quantifying the data to see just how much of this plastic is out there. They shot footage during the expedition and are creating a educational based adventure documentary. Next they will create a 3 day lesson plan, which will be interrogated into the Maryland public school system teaching thousands of 5th to 7th graders about the problems of plastics in the ocean. On April 1, 2014 they are leaving on another expedition – sailing from California to Japan non-stop doing marine radiation testing, filming the expedition, and repeating the education process. “We’re living in a changing economic environment; you can no longer think big boats, big crew, big budget. Instead, a non-profit should think small boat, small crew, small budget. By doing this, you not only reduce the cost of the expedition, but also the overhead.”

How has your Nominees efforts made a difference for the better?

Matt has already proven that he does what he sets out to do with his solo circumnavigation of the world. During the upcoming first of three new expeditions, Matt and his crew will be at sea for 75 days collecting data, while sailing 6,500 miles of the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean is home to the Atlantic Garbage Patch and coincides with one of the five major oceanic gyres. The Sargasso Sea Gyre is a huge spiral of seawater formed by colliding currents. Most offshore sailors have seen floating junk on the high seas, but it’s a problem that has not been thoroughly explored in the mid-Atlantic. It’s the poster child for one of the worldwide ocean problems: plastic that’s initially created with human hands, then ends up in the ocean, often found inside animals’ stomachs.

“I caught the bug and it’s too deeply imbedded to stop. Since I’m going to keep sailing I might as well do it in a way that gives back to the sea.”

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

The YachtWorld Hero nomination will bring visibility to Ocean Research Project, which aims to make ocean research more affordable. It will provide scientific data and education about the changes within our oceans to inspire people to action. Equipped with a team of expert scientists and sailors, they will embark on expeditions to some of the world’s most dynamic parts of the ocean. The expeditions will be carried out on a sailboat which is outfitted in a manner conscious of economical practicality yet environmentally-friendly to perform as a mobile research and observation station. Their scientific data and audiovisual educational mediums are used for several purposes.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

http://oceanresearchproject.org

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lesleyann-coker/matt-rutherford-sailing_b_3306143.html

Matt Rutherford was nominated by Tim Claxton of Dominion Marine Media in the category of Defending our Oceans.

JEANNE SOCRATES, 3X Circumnavigator

Jessica Muffett — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 20:08:08 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

This year Jeanne Socrates completed a singlehanded, nonstop circumnavigation at age 70. This was after another two previous circumnavigations met unfortunate ends. Her first ended in a beaching and loss of her boat and during the second she was badly knocked down off Cape Horn and encountered major problems with repairs, but managed to regroup and start again, finally circumnavigating around all Five Great Capes on her way to re-starting her nonstop attempt. Her achievement proves what most of us know, perseverance is paramount in everything. It also proved what not everyone knows, that age and gender need not get in the way of that kind of remarkable physical challenge. photo credit: YACHT/Kevin Light

How has your Nominees efforts made a difference for the better?

There is nothing better for encouraging people than to give them a hero. Joshua Slocum, Sir Francis Chichester, Eric and Susan Hiscock and others have inspired countless people not just to sail, but to tackle amazing challenges. Taking up singlehanded sailing at an age when many people are looking for a retirement home sets a tremendous example for people of all ages.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

For Socrates’ amazing achievements, it’s surprising she has not gotten more recognition, especially in the U.S. She is open and eager to talk and share her story, and has a schedule of speaking engagements lined up. Many more people should hear her story and be inspired.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

http://www.svnereida.com/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2362101/Jeanne-Socrates-70-oldest-woman-sail-solo-round-world-non-stop.html

P052-056_YAM_JUN13-1

Jeanne Socrates was nominated by Kurt M. Hoehne, Navigator at nwyachting.com in the category of Joy of Boating Crusader.

photo image YACHT/Kevin Light

BETSY DAVIS, CENTER FOR WOODEN BOATS

Jessica Muffett — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 22:12:26 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Betsy is a unique and vivacious personality with an infectious quality to engage persons of all age and skill to participate responsibly on and around the waters of the Pacific Northwest as well as the world. The number of people that pass through The Center for Wooden Boats is amazing. Betsy helps foster much needed community awareness for improved health of our waters. Deserved recognition will only help increase the numbers of responsible persons. Guilty by association?

Following a career in high tech, Betsy Davis came to lead The Center for Wooden Boats after she attended the boatbuilding program at a local community college and participated in the restoration of her own boat. That story is at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq95NreP1Qc&feature=youtu.be The Center for Wooden Boats is positioned in a rapidly growing neighborhood in Seattle, which has brought it into the spotlight – here is a recent interview with Betsy on the Seattle channel: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3121233

How has your nominee’s efforts made a difference for the better?

The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) provides hands-on experiences in small boats right in the heart of downtown Seattle. Over 100,000 people visit CWB each year and over 5,000 people get out on the water for free on Sunday afternoons thanks to volunteer skippers. Over 3,000 young people get on the water in field trips each year (a third on scholarships) and several hundred participate in dinghy sailing classes. Several hundred adults learn to sail each year under the direction of dedicated volunteers and several thousand people rent traditional boats to sail with friends and family. CWB emphasizes outreach to underserved youth by partnering with case workers from youth service agencies as illustrated in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDBGxwBqEQ8 . CWB’s programs create access to an “urban wilderness” right in the heart of the City, and build awareness of the natural environment. CWB’s field trip program “The Significance of Salmon” young people get on the water and test the water quality, learning about the relationship of human activity and natural resources. CWB also introduces about 8,000 young people each year to woodworking and the use of tools as they build toy boats. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YADXNv6BSWw . CWB’s Job Skills Training program for underserved youth ages 16-20 builds employment skills as well as boatbuilding and boat handling skills – transforming lives and galvanizing staff and volunteers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jIHRwxlRTM

CWB has been recognized as the #1 year-round community sailing center in the country by U. S. Sailing (2009), by the Waterfront Center for Excellence for its grass-roots efforts to build community access to the waterfront (2010) and with a national award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (2011). More detail is available in CWB’s annual report: http://cwb.org/assets/2013/10/FINAL-2012-Annual-Report-Letter.pdf

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

Increased social awareness of water related activities, traditional boat construction techniques and related environmental responsibilities increases social responsibility. Being recognized will expand the awareness base of the Center for Wooden Boats and hopefully increase the flow of people wanting to learn creatively through its free access programs.

The Center for Wooden Boats provides the broadest range of the community with an immediate way to experience the natural world without belonging to a yacht club or owning a boat. The organization was founded over 30 years ago on the back deck of the founder’s houseboat, and has grown incrementally over the years thanks to broad support from volunteers and grass-roots community members. Recognition as a YachtWorld Hero would help build the visibility of this important community resource to ensure it has the resources to continue delivering on its mission programs for generations to come.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

Center for Wooden Boats

http://seattletimes.com/text/2021345236.html

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Center-for-Wooden-Boats-keeps-the-past-afloat-1271861.php

http://www.pressure-drop.us/forums/content.php?1300-Seattle-s-Center-For-Wooden-Boats-Hunting-Ghosts-in-Lake-Union

Betsy Davis was nominated by Michael Rancourt, The Yacht Pirate Syndicate, in the category of Joy of Boating Crusader.

BILL BAHEN, Sail Nauticus

Jessica Muffett — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 22:11:28 +0000

Who is Your Hero?

Bahen is the founder and former director of Hudson River Community Sailing in New York City and now oversees the development of a summer sailing academy and afterschool programs on the Nauticus campus aimed at underserved youth, as well as sailing outings for adults during weekends and evenings. Proceeds from Sail Nauticus programs enable youth, who may not otherwise have the opportunity, develop academic and leadership skills through sailing and maritime sciences.

How has your nominee’s efforts made a difference for the better?

Bahen founded Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS) to serve the urban community of New York City with an emphasis on youth education that provides enriching maritime access through the medium of sailing. HRCS was the first community sailing program able to offer a year of academic after school programming using sailing and boat building as method of teaching. Upon completion of each section of this program, HRCS students earned credit in school in math, science and physical education.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause?

Studies of established sailing programs in other port cities have proven that sailing instruction aimed at disadvantaged youth significantly improves academic performance. Sail Nauticus’ major goal is to provide a positive influence for our region’s at-risk youth and community through challenging year-round academic programming in both water- and classroom-based settings.

With more recognition about the program, Mr. Bahen and Nauticus may have the opportunity to promote the program more broadly. Sail Nauticus was able to launch initially thanks to a charitable gift from Mrs. Jane Batten to support operations and programming for three years. Students will learn to sail on Harbor 20 sailboats, fixed keel boats with small motors, which can be safely maneuvered out of the active shipping lanes and into more recreational areas of the river and bay. The Center will also operate the schooner Virginia, and incorporate the tall ship into its STEM-based curriculum and summer camp programming.

Please share any website or online articles about your nominee’s activities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7RskZdmIkI

http://www.sailingmagazine.net/news/features/1062-new-sailorsbig-city

http://insidebiz.com/news/first-person-bill-bahen

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/525309-sail-nauticus-plans-june-launch-in-virginia

http://www.sailnauticus.org/#!in-the-news/c2c9

Bill Bahen was nominated by Courtney Chalmers of Dominion Marine Media, in the category of Joy of Boating Crusader.

The United States Coast Guard

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:26:58 +0000

On behalf of the Yacht Brokers Association of America, our Board of Directors and our members, please accept our nomination of the US Coast Guard as our choice for the Yacht World Hero. We believe that the US Coast Guard exemplifies the ultimate Yacht World Hero by meeting the definition of both categories: They defend our Oceans: Innovative ways to preserve and protect the worlds’ oceans, rivers, lakes or other marine environments, and They help preserve the Joy of Boating: teaching boating skills, boating education or boating services to benefit others. Whether it is the maintenance of navigational aids, performance of search and rescue or protecting our waters from environmental harm, the US Coast Guard’s presence and service to the boating public is without exception, represents a true Hero.

One merely needs to look at the US Coast Guards Mission to understand the true positive impact that they have on the boating public and the marine industry to defend and protect our biggest natural resource; our lakes, our rivers and our oceans for the safe enjoyment for all. The Coast Guard’s motto is Semper Paratus, meaning “Always Ready.”

Missions: By law, the Coast Guard has 11 missions:
• Ports, waterways, and coastal security • Drug interdiction • Aids to navigation • Search and rescue • Living marine resources • Marine safety • Defense readiness • Migrant interdiction • Marine environmental protection • Ice operations • Other law enforcement (listed in order of percentage of operating expenses) Thus, we are military, multi-mission, and maritime.

The Coast Guard is in some cases our “forgotten military” because their mission and performance of such is not often recognized on a regular and consistent basis.

How will being recognized as a YachtWorld Hero further your nominee’s cause? By recognizing the US Coast Guard as a Yacht World Hero, we will show public appreciation for the work they quietly do while strengthening the bond between the boating public and the marine industry with those charged with protecting our waterways and the people who use them.

Website http://www.uscg.mil/top/missions/ The United States Coast Guard was nominated by The Yacht Brokers Association of America, www.ybaa.org.

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YBAA HONORS YBAA HONORS USCG AS YACHTWORLD FOUNDATION HERO AT MIAMI BOAT SHOW

MIAMI, FL – Feb.16, 2012 – At this morning’s Annual State of the Recreational Boating Industry Breakfast held at the Miami International Boat Show, the U.S. Coast Guard was honored as one of the 2011 YachtWorld Foundation Heroes. The USCG was nominated by YBAA for this honor. Photo shown here is CAPT Rick Kenin Receiving USCG YW Hero Award from nominator Vincent Petrella, CPYB, YBAA READ MORE …..